CLOCKMAKER‟S SHORT Witching
THE CLOCK IS TICKING: YOUTH LEADING THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVOLUTION
The sky was once blue, the rivers danced freely, and the trees whispered secrets to the wind. But now, little Mahendra, only 10 years old, wears a mask not because of a virus, but because the air in his city is too toxic to breathe. His favorite ‘Dear park’ has turned into a polluted place and the birds he loved to watch are gone. One day, he looked up at his mother and asked, ‘Will I ever see real stars in the sky?’ That question, simple yet powerful, echoes the pain of a generation growing up in a world damaged by decisions they didn’t make—but one they must now save.
This innocent question reflects a growing crisis faced by billions: a planet under pressure and a future at risk. Climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, plastic pollution, and loss of biodiversity—these are no longer distant threats; they are today’s lived reality. From choking air in megacities to floods swallowing farmlands, the signs are clear: Earth is sending distress signals, and it’s our generation that must listen and it’s the time now we should take action to protect us as well as futures. With fresh ideas, deep concern, and digital power, young people around the world are standing at the frontline of environmental action. From school strikes for climate to youth-led clean-up drives, they are not waiting for change—they are becoming the change.
This essay explores the environmental challenges threatening our planet and offers a youth-centric perspective on how to solve them. It will highlight how education, innovation, activism, and policy engagement—led by young minds—can turn today’s crisis into tomorrow’s opportunity. For the sake of future generations, the time to act is not tomorrow. It is now, and the hope for a greener, cleaner, and fairer world lies firmly in the hands of today’s youth.
Problems :
The environment today faces several urgent problems. Some of the biggest challenges include:
i)Air Pollution – Major cities like Delhi often record AQI (Air Quality Index) levels above 400, causing breathing problems and lung diseases. While CO levels are high, SO2, NO2, and O3 levels are relatively lower.
ii) Water Pollution – Rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna are polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and plastics.
iii) Deforestation – Forests are cut down for roads, mining, and cities. India lost about 2.5 million hectares of forest cover between 2001 and 2020 (Global Forest Watch).
iv) Climate Change – India is facing more floods, droughts, heatwaves, and cyclones due to rising temperatures.
v) Plastic Waste – India generates over 3.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, much of which ends up in oceans and landfills.
vi) Loss of Biodiversity – Many species of animals and birds are becoming endangered due to habitat destruction and pollution. May be in future days many species will be ended from our earth.
Solutions :
While the problems are serious. As we responsible for the above problems. We should take action as a solution of it. Many solutions are possible if we act together. So the solutions are given below-
i) Use renewable energy like solar and wind instead of coal and petrol. By using those renewable energy, we can protect our environment from the evil pollution.
ii) Apart from that we should promote electical vehicle to reduce vehicle emissions, which helps to protect from air pollution. We can cycling, walking for short distance journey, which reduces the pollution as well as improvement of health will be with exercising through it.
iii) Implement waste segregation at homes and school are important. With using 3R- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, a set of principles that promote sustainable waste management and environmental conservation.
iv) Banning single-use plastics and promoting eco-friendly alternatives is a crucial step towards reducing plastic pollution and its harmful effects on the environment. This involves phasing out the production and use of items like plastic bags, straws, and cutlery, while encouraging the adoption of reusable and biodegradable options.
v) Practice afforestation and save existing trees, which are both crucial for environmental health and sustainability. These practices offer numerous benefits, including combating climate change, improving air and water quality, and preserving biodiversity.
vi) Mainly we should raise awareness through education and media about environmental issues. It is very important than others. Others solutions are not implemented broadly, if all peoples are not aware about it.
Role of Youths & Students :
Youth are the real change-makers of today. Youths are increasingly recognized as powerful agents of change, driving innovation and progress across various fields. Their fresh perspectives, energy and willingness are crucial for addressing environmental challenges. Their role includes:
i)Spreading awareness through campaigns, street plays, posters, and social media. Those are highlighting in front of publics to aware and give motivation for participation. Because all’s participation are very essential in this crucial moment.
ii) They are participating in tree plantation, clean-up drives. Planting of trees help to keep our surroundings clean thereby improving the air we breathe, and therefore, our respiratory health.
iii) They can Practice eco-friendly habits like using cloth bags, metal bottles, and saving water.
iv) Taking part in school/college eco clubs and leading local environmental actions, which helps to create motivation for taking action by others. A group of volunteers can form there for working with unity.
v) Students have innovative mind. They are inovating solutions such as making apps for waste management or creating biodegradable products.
For example, in 2023, students of Delhi University launched the ‘Plastic Se Breakup’ campaign to reduce plastic use in local markets, influencing over 50,000 people.
Government Initiatives :
Protection of environment is always the priority of the government. The government has taken various steps from time to time for developing the health of environment in the country by implementing various schemes and initiatives like-
i)Swatch Bharat Abhiyan (2014) – Focuses on cleanliness, waste management, and sanitation.
ii) National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – Aims to promote solar energy, water conservation, and energy efficiency.
iii) Plastic Waste Management Rules – Ban on certain single-use plastics from July 2022.
iv) Namami Gange Mission – Clean-up and conservation of River Ganga.
v) Faster adoption of EVs (Electric Vehicles) through schemes like FAME India to reduce air pollution.
Others initiatives :
With government initiatives, many NGOs as well as many institutions are taken steps to protect environment. Because all’s participation are important for giving a best future days. The others initiatives are given below –
i)SayTrees (Bangalore) – Youth-led NGO that has planted over 1 million trees across India.
ii) Goonj – Focuses on recycling urban waste and using it in rural development.
iii) UNEP’s Tide Turners Challenge – Encourages students across the world to reduce plastic use.
iv) IIT Bombay’s Solar Lamp Project – Provided solar lights to lakhs of rural children to replace polluting kerosene lamps.
Way Forward :
Every person – young or old – should realize that saving the environment is not someone else’s job. It is everyone’s responsibility. The road ahead requires collective action:
i)Environmental education must be made compulsory in all schools and colleges.
ii) Create more platforms for youth participation in policymaking and awareness campaigns.
iii) Strengthen laws to punish industries that pollute water and air.
iv) Support research and innovation in green technology by students.
v) Citizens must shift from a “use and throw” mindset to a “reduce, reuse, recycle” lifestyle.
The Earth is not just our home—it is our responsibility. The environmental problems we face today are the result of years of neglect, but they can be solved through awareness, action and unity. Pollution, climate change, deforestation, and plastic waste are threatening our survival, yet they are not unbeatable. The youth of today have the power to shape a better tomorrow by becoming leaders, innovators, and responsible citizens. The youth must rise as eco-warriors, guiding society towards a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future. With the right support from governments, NGOs, and educational institutions, young people can bring creative solutions, influence policies, and inspire entire communities to live sustainably. Their energy, digital reach, and passion for justice make them the strongest voice in the fight to protect nature. If every young person plants a tree, saves a litre of water, reduces plastic, and spreads awareness, the future will not be dark—it will be green and bright. Let this generation be remembered not for witnessing environmental destruction, but for stopping it. As Mahatma Gandhi once said,
“You must be the change you want to see in the world”
By: Suman Das
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